Thread protector



June 6, 193 9.

E. J. PROTI N THREAD PROTECTOR Filed March 10, 1938 L \K K 23 I g 24 l kATTORNEY.

Patented June 6, 1939 I g UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE THREAD PROTECTOR 7Edward J. Protin, Gharleroi, Pa. Application March 10, 1938, Serial No.195,070 2 Claims. (01. 138-96) My invention relates to thread protectorsfor indicated in Fig. 4, and in case it is of a springpipe or the like,for protecting threads against like nature, it will be drawn slightlypast a damage during handling and storage of the pipe diametral lineextending through its ends, so as previous toits installation at aplace'of use. to yieldably exert a thrust upon the pipe and will Oneobject of my invention is to provide a pronot spring back to itsoriginal bowed position. 5 tector of improved form which can readily beThis bending of the strut brings its axiallyapplied to and removed fromthe pipe without straight and transversely-curved portions l2 intoturning it on the pipe threads, .and wherein no close engagement withthe pipe wall, thus giving separately-formed retaining keys arerequired. an extended area of frictional engagement to Another object ofmy invention is to provide effectively resist accidental withdrawal ofthe 10 a protector which will effectively form a seal that protector.prevents access of water or dirt to the pipe One form of tool forbending the strut 9 to threads. its gripping position comprises a baseplate [3,

Some of the forms which my invention may and a cam lever M to which ahooked pull bar 1 take are shown in the accompanying drawing ispivotally connected. The bar l5 extends 15 wherein Figure 1 is alongitudinal sectional view through a hole in the plate l3, and it willbe seen through a portion of a pipe with my protector that when thelever I4 is swung downwardly, the applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a viewtaken on the bar i5 and the strut 9 will be drawn outwardly, line II-IIof Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the thus straightening the strutinto gripping enprotector; Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing thegagement with the pipe. A spring finger 5, carprotector parts inapproximately their final posiried by the plate l3, extends through ahole in tion on a pipe, and Fig. 5 is a view showing anthe bar l5 andnormally urges the bar rearwardother form of protector. 1y so as toyieldably maintain the bar in an in- Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4, aportion of pipe wardly-projected position where it can be more isindicated by the numeral 6, the protector apr adily brought into hookedengagement with the plied thereto comprising an annular metallic strut.A spring clip IT is provided on the plate band or sleeve portion 1 andan annular skirt l3 for holding the lever 14 in folded-back posiportion8 which is bent backwardly and extends tion when the tool is not in use,

into the pipe. A bowed strap or strut member In order to remove theprotector, the strut 9 9 has its ends welded or otherwise secured to canbe pushed or hammered back to its original 3 the skirt a and may be madeeither of a malleposit on or it ca be pul ed ur he o twa y able metal orof heavy sheet metal of a springy from the position shown in Fig- 4, soas to colnature. lapse or bend the same out of gripping engage- It iscommon practice to taper pipes somewhat ment with the p 5 at theirthreaded areas, the extremity of the pipe In Fig. 5 I show a protectorfor an internally being of somewhat smaller outside diameter thanthreaded coup In s Structure an anthe unthreaded portion at the innerend of the nular band I9 has a flan 0 fo ed at its threaded area. Thesleeve portion 1 may be outer end for engagement with the extremity Oformed of sheet metal and may be either of true the coupling and willserve as a sealing element.

cylindrical form or have its innermost edge of The band it tapersinwardly somewhat so that it 40 reduced diameter. In either case, suchedge ID will have close-fitting engagement with the exwill have closefitting engagement with the pipe, tremity of a pipe e space 22 betweenthe and the protector can be applied without damage band and the threadswill be filled with grease to the pipe threads, because of said taper,Where when desired. A strut 23 similar to the strut 9 additionalprotection is required to prevent acis welded to the inner edge of theband I9 and 45 cess of water or dirt to the pipe threads, heavy willinitially be bowed. as is the strut 9 in Figgrease will be applied tothe protector or the it being d w 1101135 p g P i O s S OWn pipe threadsand in the space H, and when the in Fig. 5, by a suitable tool. Theperiphery of protector is applied, this grease will form an efthe strut23 has spu s 0 teeth 24 formed thereon,

fective seal. which will bite into the pipe and resist accidental 5 Theprotector is first slipped upon the pipe, withdrawal of the protector.whereupon a tool is applied tobend the bowed I claim as my invention:strut 9 toward a diametral line in order to cause 1. A thread protectorcomprising a band for it to grip the interior wall of the pipe. Thefinal covering the threaded area of a pipe and having position of thestrut may be approximately as a skirt portion which will extend into thepipe, 55

a strut element extending transversely of the axis of the pipe and bowedrearwardly, and a gripping element on each end of the strut element andextending forwardly, each with its forward end connected to the inneredge of the said skirt, those portions of the gripping elements adjacentto the strut extending axially of the pipe, in position to engage theinternal wall thereof, and the forward portions thereof being deflectedinwardly, the strut element being bendable toward and past straight-lineposition to efiect expansive movement of the gripping elements.

2. A thread protector comprising a band for covering the threaded areaof a pipe and having a skirt portion which will extend into the pipe,

a strut element extending transversely of the axis of the pipe and bowedrearwardly, and a gripping element on each end of the strut element andextending forwardly, each with its forward end connected to the inneredge of the said skirt, those portions of the gripping elements adjacentto the strut being curved co-axially of the pipe and extending axiallyof the pipe, in position to engage the internal wall thereof, and theforward portions thereof being deflected inwardly, the strut elementbeing bendable toward and past straight-line position to eifectexpansive movement of the gripping elements.

EDWARD J. PRO'I'IN.

